Magnetic Letters Activities and Mats: Use with UFLI Lessons

I love Phonics and Word Work! After years of looking at those beautiful, but costly, alphabet magnet sets from Lakeshore, I set out to find an affordable alternative.

Why Use Magnetic Letters?

Magnetic letters can turn letter sounds, sight words, and CVC word practice into a hands-on learning experience that's perfect for beginning readers! 📚

Magnetic letters are a ✨ magical way to make early literacy FUN! Kids love the hands-on experience, and teachers love how they reinforce:

✅ Letter Recognition and 🔊 Sounds
✅ Sight Word 👀 ✏️ Spelling
✅ CVC word building 🐱 cat, 🐶 dog, ☀️ sun

Affordable Magnetic Letters and Storage

I chose these AlphaMagnets Magnetic Letters (affiliate link) because they are more affordable and available on Amazon Prime.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The 24 Compartment Large Storage Box is available from Harbor Freight. I purchased the cookie sheets from Dollar Tree and read many teacher reviews for using them with magnetic letters.I was even able to find a TpT Seller that created a Magnetic Letter Font that matched these perfectly! Finally, I wanted all of my magnetic letters to stay well organized and sorted, so I created Magnetic Letters Activities and Organization.

Magnetic letters sorted in a labeled storage box, and the sight words like and the on a cookie sheet

Magnetic letters in alphabet order on a cookie sheet with the word sat, next to an alphabet mat

Magnetic letters sorted a to z in a clear 24 compartment storage box with letter labels

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This paper fitted perfectly on my magnetic letter tray. It stays in place and is easy for the students to use. – Emily B.

5 Fun Activities for Magnetic Letters

💬 Un-Scramble and Solve: Mix up letters so kids can unscramble "gdo" to "dog"!
🌈 Rainbow Writing: Spell a word, then trace with colored markers!
🍪 Cookie Sheet Word Work: Perfect for centers and at home practice!
🕵️ Word Detective: Hide letters in rice or sand. Dig and spell!
⏱️ Speed Build Challenge: "How fast can you make the word 'sun'?"

Fun and Easy Learning Games

🔍 Sound Spy and Find: "Find the letter that makes the /m/ sound!"
✅ Beginning Sound Matching: Show a picture 🧦 and have kids find the magnetic "s".
💕 Letter Match-Up! Match uppercase and lowercase letters. M → m
👀 Sight Word Build & Trace: Spell sight words (the, and, like). Say the letter's name while you trace it with your finger!
👪 Word Family Fun: Change "cat" → "bat" → "sat" by swapping 1 letter!

CVC Word Building 🐱 cat 🐶 dog

Say the word 🗺️ (map). Help kids build it.

Say the sounds (/m/ /a/ /p/).
Say /m/ move the letter m.
Say /a/ move the letter a.
Say /p/ move the letter p.
Say "map" while you sweep your finger across the letters.

Magnetic letters in alphabet order on a cookie sheet, spelling the word map

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ USed this on dollar store pans and it is a great independent activity – Megan T.